YAA Interview: Brett Wearne

Vijnana Yoga with a mix of exercises to release the fascia and borrowing from my experience as a physiotherapist.

4. Where do you teach?

From my small pyramid home studio on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada.

5. How long have you been practicing yoga?

Since 1997, 15 years.

6. How long have you been teaching yoga?

For 13 years.

7. Who have you trained with and where?

I originally qualified as a physiotherapist in 1992 , I then did Iyengar yoga for 7 years, and have been involved in Vijnana yoga since 2004. I am a certified Vijnana teacher and trained in Canada with Orit Sen-Gupta and Gioia Irwin who founded Vijnana yoga.

8. What lead you to teaching yoga and at what point did you decide that you wanted to teach?

I initially started doing yoga for myself, I realised that I had to do something for myself as being a physio I was constantly giving all day and I knew that there wasn’t going to be a sense of balance by this. So I started yoga for myself and then feeling the benefits I started to introduce Yoga to my patients, to encourage them to take responsibility for their own health as I incorporated it into my physio sessions with them.

9. What do you love most about teaching?

Helping myself and others to see that getting older doesn’t have to be scary or negative, but that it can be something exciting and rewarding. Realising that as we become older we can become more healthy and free in our body.

10. Is there a focus in your teaching style?

Finding ease.

11. What do you love most about yoga?

Yoga is a big part of my life, it feels like something in my life that connects me to the one permanent thing in life; the divine. No matter if I am working with the physical body or more subtle aspects, it is always a place where I can let go of all the external stuff, all the unnecessary nonsense in my life.

12. What is the greatest challenge you have overcome with the help of yoga?

Recognising that what you do for another you do for yourself – that self is other and other is self, we are all connected.

13. What advice do you have for people who have never tried yoga?

Yoga is for everyone, let go of the judgement of yourself and come and try it.

14. Do you have a regular practice?

Yes, I usually practice twice a day.

15. Favourite Asana?

I love inversions, so probably shoulder stand (Saravangasana).

16. Strongest Asana?

I struggle with deep backbends, but am not put off by the challenge!

17. Any religious affiliations?

I resonate with Buddhism.

18. What are your other interests?

Music, I play piano, the body and the way it works, looking at the ego and philosophy/universal consciousness, travel and meeting other cultures.

19. Any thank yous?

I am grateful for my injuries as they have been one of my best teachers, the imperfections within my body. My parents, for instilling a sense of discipline, without discipline I couldn’t do what I do and I am particularly thankful to my present teacher, Gioia Irwin, she represents to me true humility, because she doesn’t seem to have an ego.